Overview
El Segundo is one of the oldest cities in the Los Angeles area. El Segundo lies along the Pacific Ocean, just south of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in the South Bay of Los Angeles. Many large aerospace companies have facilities in El Segundo. It can be used as a base for exploring LA if you want to stay near the airport.
1 sights · 5 things to do · 1 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about El Segundo
Automobile Driving Museum
Large collection of vintage and antique cars, primarily American. On Sundays, offers rides in 3 cars from their collection. Definitely worth a short trip if you're in the area, especially for the Sunday rides.
Dockweiler State Beach
Located partially in El Segundo, including the only RV park on the beach in California.
Toyota Sports Center
A public skating facility located at the corner of Nash Street and Mariposa Avenue, adjacent to the LA Metro station. The facilities include an Olympic sized ice rink, NHL sized hockey rink, indoor in-line hockey rink, i…
UCLA Health Training Center
Opened in 2017 as the new practice facility for the Los Angeles Lakers. Closed to the public except when hosting games of the Lakers' affiliate in the NBA G League, the South Bay Lakers.
Old Town Music Hall
Restored theatre that has hosted Wurlitzer Organ concerts and film screenings since 1968.
The Lakes Golf Course
This nine hole, par 29, 1,327-yard municipal course won't be hosting any PGA tour events anytime soon, but it's an excellent course for beginners or those with an extended layover at LAX. There is also a double-deck driv…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 49°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Hawthorne)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LAX Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles — 2 mi away (major hub). Directions
- HHR Jack Northrop Field Hawthorne Municipal Airport, Hawthorne — 4 mi away. Directions
El Segundo is immediately south of LAX, and most hotels offer free shuttle transfers to and from the airport. The east-west Century Freeway (I-105) runs along the northern edge of El Segundo, exiting onto the Imperial Highway and terminating at the ocean. I-405 runs north-south just east of El Segundo with a couple of convenient exits at Rosecrans Avenue and El Segundo Boulevard. CA-1, the Pacific Coast Highway, passes north-south through the heart of El Segundo as Sepulveda Boulevard.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $75–$75 a night (typical $87), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$240.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Automobile Driving Museum, Toyota Sports Center
- Lunch Sausal
- Afternoon The Lakes Golf Course
- Evening The Tavern on Main
Day 2
- Morning Dockweiler State Beach, Old Town Music Hall
- Afternoon UCLA Health Training Center
- Evening Paul Martin's American Bistro
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
It is generally accepted that the city is named after the second (el segundo in Spanish) Standard Oil refinery on the West Coast, built in 1911.
El Segundo is two cities in one. The coastal portion is a residential suburb with a charming Main Street which looks frozen in time. Locals both affectionately and derisively call it "Mayberry By The Sea", referring to the sleepy fictional town which was the setting for the American television show The Andy Griffith Show in the early 1960s.
The "inland portion" of El Segundo is a thriving business district. Aerospace companies with facilities in El Segundo include Boeing, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and the Aerospace Corporation, which is headquartered there. It is also home to the Los Angeles Air Force Base and the Space and Missile Systems Center and Toy Manufacturer Mattel.
El Segundo is home to the blue butterfly, now an endangered species. These butterflies, which once used to reside in the sand dunes of El Segundo over an area of 4.5 square miles, have now been pushed into three small areas of what is left of those dunes.
Get in
El Segundo is immediately south of LAX, and most hotels offer free shuttle transfers to and from the airport. The east-west Century Freeway (I-105) runs along the northern edge of El Segundo, exiting onto the Imperial Highway and terminating at the ocean. I-405 runs north-south just east of El Segundo with a couple of convenient exits at Rosecrans Avenue and El Segundo Boulevard. CA-1, the Pacific Coast Highway, passes north-south through the heart of El Segundo as Sepulveda Boulevard.
The Metro K (Pink) Line runs along the eastern edge of El Segundo, with both Mariposa/Nash and El Segundo/Nash stations within city limits.
Get around
Most travel is by car. Walking along the busy streets can be unpleasant, due to the exhaust.
Transit options within the city consist of Beach Cities Transit and Metro Micro (LAX/Inglewood Zone).
See
Do
Do Toyota Sports Center (formerly Health South Training Center)
A public skating facility located at the corner of Nash Street and Mariposa Avenue, adjacent to the LA Metro station. The facilities include an Olympic sized ice rink, NHL sized hockey rink, indoor in-line hockey rink, indoor basketball court, cafe serving hot food and drinks, gymnasium for professional athletes, skate rental shop, fully stocked skate and hockey pro shop, and locker and shower facilities. This is the official training facility for the Los Angeles Kings NHL hockey team and its affiliate in the second-level American Hockey League, the Ontario Reign. It also previously served as the practice facility for the Lakers NBA basketball team, but that team now practices in the nearby UCLA Health Training Center. The TSC is also home to the Angel City Derby Girls, LA's only flat track roller derby league. The TSC also houses the 7th largest organized adult ice hockey league in the nation.
Eat
Eat Sausal
Named after Rancho Sausal Redondo ("Round Willow Ranch"), which once encompassed most of the South Bay. The upscale restaurant features Hispanic cuisine prepared fresh using traditional ingredients. Homemade salsas, unique salads, and mains that are inspired by Mexican cuisine but definitely have a unique spin. Worth a visit if you don't mind paying a bit more for a different take on Mexican food.
Drink
Drink The Tavern on Main
Well, it's a tavern, and it's located on Main. Live bands on weekends, happy hour on weekdays from 11AM (yes, 11AM) until 6:30PM, and free wireless internet for those who like their web surfing with a beer buzz.
Drink The Purple Orchid
This bar is tiki-themed with a small stage that sees local bands playing regularly. It is often described as one of the best tiki-themed bars in Southern California, but even for the most demanding critics, if it's a tiki bar you want this place won't disappoint. Drinks are somewhat on the pricey side, with cocktails averaging about $8.50.
Drink Paul Martin's American Bistro
“Eat organic. Believe in sustainable. Buy local. Love fresh” is the mantra of Paul Martin’s American Bistro. As much as possible, that’s what Paul Martin’s aims to deliver, and at accessible prices, with plates priced mostly between $10 and $22.
Sleep
Stay LAX Stadium Inn - El Segundo/Inglewood
The immediate area may be gritty, and the building may not be attractive, but the rooms are pretty spacious and perfectly OK, especially for the price. If you have a lot of time to spend in LA, you might want to be somewhere where planes bound for LAX don't pass close enough for you to smell the exhaust, but if you want to be close to LAX and pay as little as possible for a decent value, consider this hotel. Plenty of free parking for hotel guests, good complimentary Wi-Fi. Free shuttle to and from LAX available. Front desk manned 24 hours/day.
Stay Concord Hotel
Weekly rates, not often available. Common bathrooms. WiFi available, free and FON.com
Go next
- Los Angeles - The nation's second most populous city offers various entertainment options, fine museums, restaurants, and shopping. Also see the popular Venice Beach.
- Playa del Rey - Located north of El Segundo and adjacent to LAX, Playa del Rey is home to extensive beaches and a variety of dining options.
- Manhattan Beach - El Segundo's neighbor to the South is home to a state beach as well as several upscale restaurants and shopping opportunities.
- Inglewood - A slightly rough city to the east of El Segundo, Inglewood has numerous lodging options for those wishing to stay close to the airport.
Nearby
Manhattan Beach
City / town · 23 listings · 2 mi away
Playa del Rey
City / town · 5 listings · 3 mi away
Westchester
City / town · 17 listings · 3 mi away
Hawthorne
City / town · 9 listings · 3 mi away
Lawndale
City / town · 2 listings · 4 mi away
Hermosa Beach
City / town · 12 listings · 4 mi away
Inglewood
City / town · 22 listings · 4 mi away
Marina del Rey
City / town · 52 listings · 5 mi away
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